Business & Finance Parkersburg, WV Pop. 29,675

Economist Salary in Parkersburg, West Virginia

The median economist salary in Parkersburg, WV is $91,152 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the West Virginia state average.

City Median
$91,152
vs State Avg
$-4,558
vs National
$-22,788
Cost of Living
80%

Economist Pay in Parkersburg: What to Expect (2026)

Parkersburg offers a median economist salary of $91,152, which is $4,558 below the West Virginia state average of $95,710. Compared to the national median of $113,940, Parkersburg pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Parkersburg's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 80% of the national average. This means the $91,152 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $113,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Parkersburg an attractive option for economists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for economists in Parkersburg spans from $49,600 at the 10th percentile to $158,400 at the 90th percentile — a $108,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $52,000, while senior economists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $148,000. Parkersburg is a smaller market (pop. 29,675), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Economist Salary in Parkersburg by Experience

In Parkersburg, an entry-level economist earns around $52,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $148,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$52,000
$-13,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$92,000
$-23,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$148,000
$-37,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Parkersburg, WV

Percentile Parkersburg
10th Percentile $49,600
25th Percentile $65,600
Median (50th) $91,152
75th Percentile $124,000
90th Percentile $158,400

Economist Salary in Other West Virginia Cities

Morgantown, WV
$102,546
Pop. 30,955
Charleston, WV
$100,267
Pop. 48,006
Huntington, WV
$93,431
Pop. 46,842
Wheeling, WV
$88,873
Pop. 26,711

How to Become a Economist in Parkersburg

Education

Most economist positions require a master's degree. Parkersburg and the surrounding West Virginia area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

EconometricsStatistical AnalysisR/PythonEconomic ModelingResearch MethodsPolicy Analysis

Job Outlook

Nationally, economist employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Parkersburg may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Economist Jobs in Parkersburg

Browse open economist positions in Parkersburg, WV:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Economist Salary in Parkersburg

How much does a Economist make in Parkersburg, WV? ▼
The median economist salary in Parkersburg, West Virginia is $91,152 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $113,940. Salaries range from $49,600 (10th percentile) to $158,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Economist make per hour in Parkersburg? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $91,152, a economist in Parkersburg earns approximately $44 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Parkersburg compare to the West Virginia state average for economist pay? ▼
Parkersburg's median economist salary of $91,152 is 4.8% below the West Virginia state average of $95,710. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Parkersburg, WV? ▼
Parkersburg has a cost of living index of 80% compared to the national average. This means a economist salary of $91,152 in Parkersburg has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a economist in Parkersburg? ▼
Most economist positions in Parkersburg require a master's degree. Key skills include Econometrics, Statistical Analysis, R/Python, Economic Modeling. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.